The Life and Works of Quṭb-ud-Dīn Shāh Walīullāh Dehlawī

The Life and Works of Quṭb-ud-Dīn Shāh Walīullāh Dehlawī

About The Course

Quṭb-ud-Dīn Shāh Walīullāh Dehlawī (d. 1762/1176), was an 18th century reviver, Islamic scholar, muhaddith, historiographer, politician, bibliographer, theologian, and philosopher.

This course will present the life and works of Quṭb-ud-Dīn Shāh Walīullāh Dehlawī, relating his major influences on current thinking on theory of knowledge, spirituality, politics, education, philosophy, psychology and science. The purpose is to acquaint students with these classical and traditional models of thinking and to drive motivation and the passion of learning, writing, and thinking in the ummah. Shāh Walīullāh was a true role model whose works have influenced great Muslim and nonMuslim thinkers even in the post-modern age. Students will learn about Shāh Walīullāh’s main influencers, reasons for his success and how we can continue the legacy of a man who gave so much to the Muslim world and for generations in the future.

One of the most outstanding Islamic thinkers South Asia ever produced – Shah Wali Allah– passed away leaving behind a colossal legacy. Shah Waliullah had exceptional talent, ability of mind and spiritual purity. An outstanding scholar of Islamic sciences, who lived in the age of crisis and intellectual degeneration. He evolutionized the philosophical, social and economic ideas within the framework of Islam.

Course Team

Dr. Rafaqat Rashid

Shaykh Haroon Sidat

(Cardiff University, UK)
Dr Shoaib Malik

Syed Huzaifah Ali Nadwi

(Research assistant, Understanding British Imams Project, Cardiff University)
AT A GLANCE

12 Live Online Sessions

Duration : 4+ months

Saturdays, 2 PM - 03.30 PM (London, UK)

Video Recordings Available

Mobile App

Live Q&A

Certificate

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Starts on 23rd July 2022

Course Fee:

Pay in Full: £79.99 £59.99

(Providing upto 30% scholarship on this Course)

Pay In 4 Installments: £19.99 £12.49 per month

Registration Deadline:

29th July 2022

Al Balagh Scholarship

AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee.

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Sessions

Session 1

Introduction – Importance of Learning about Shāh Walīullāh

Session 2

The Life of Shāh Walīullāh 3 Important Works of Shāh Walīullāh

Session 3

Shāh Walīullāh’s Theory of Human Society

Session 4

Famous and Wise Quotes of Shāh Walīullāh

Session 5

Shāh Walīullāh’s Programme of Spiritual Development

Session 6

Shāh Walīullāh Theory of Politics

Session 7

Contribution of Shāh Walīullāh to Socio-economic Reform

Session 8

Contribution of Shāh Walīullāh in Knowledge

Session 9

Contribution of Shāh Walīullāh in Psychology

Session 10

Contribution of Shāh Walīullāh in Philosophy

Session 11

What is the Legacy of Shāh Walīullāh

Session 12

Lessons Learnt

Course Overview

Besides being a deeply spiritual and noted academic, Shah Waliullah was also politically astute. He helped create a united Muslim front to oppose the rising Marhatta power, which threatened the already deteriorating Muslim influence in the northern part of India.
Shah Waliullah not only had a keen grasp of regional and national politics; he also clearly understood the profound impact of economics. Based on what he saw, he promoted the concept of socioeconomic equilibrium, and he deplored the accumulation of wealth, viewing it essentially as the proverbial root of all evil in the world. Further, he advocated a social order that embraced Islamic principles of equality, fraternity, and brotherhood.

In South Asia, understanding Islam as a socio religious movement is incomplete without studying the work of Shah Wali Allah. As the eminent Muslim Philosopher Allamah Iqbal writes “He was the first Muslim to feel the urge for rethinking the whole system of Islam without breaking traditions of the past.”(Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam) Both using his academic as well his spiritual talent he inspired generations of ‘ulama, scholars, and left a great legacy. He shaped the Islamic thought in South Asia. Almost every school of thought and Islamic movement in Islam accepts him as an authority and takes lineage in South Asia from his works.
Prominent Muslim scholar and historian Shibli Naumani writes “The contribution of Shah Wali Allah overshadows men like al-Ghazali and al-Razi. While the exposition of earlier mutakallimin (scholastic theologians) exclusively focuses on the questions of belief, Shah went beyond this narrow scope of theology” (Al Kalam).He was a great administrator, also who successfully administered his father’s madrasa alRaheemiya. He re-oriented educational policy and made it a bridge between classical and modernist thought.
Shah Abdul Hay Al Hasani writes “In knowledge and natural philosophy Shah Wali Allah excelled both Farabi and Ibn Sina (Islamiya Fi’l Hind). Nawab Sidiq Hassan Khan Bhopali writes, “If Shah had flourished in the distant past, he surely would have been given the title of and would have been called chief head of imams’ (Mafhamaat).

As his letter to Ahmad Shah Abdali suggests, Shah Waliullah exerted a great deal of influence through his use of the written word. A prolific writer, he assumed a lifetime task of producing standard works on Islamic learning. Within a period of 30 years, he wrote 51 books (23 in Arabic and 28 in Persian). Today, some of his works are still regarded as being unmatched in the entire sphere of Islamic literature.

Scholars tend to classify Shah Waliullah’s written works into six categories: those works that deal with the Holy Quran (which includes his Persian translations), those that deal with Hadith, works related to “Fiqh” (or Islamic jurisprudence), works based on mysticism, works dealing with Muslim philosophy and Ilm-i-Kalam, and, finally, the writings that focused on the Shia-Sunni division that had become quite acute during his time. His most famous works include Fath al-Rahmaan Fi Tarjumatul Qur’an, a translation of the Holy Quran in Persian, and Al Fauz al-Kabir Fi Usul al-Tafsir, a booklet written in the Persian language that communicates the core of the Holy Quran and its rules for interpretation. Many regard his most renowned work to be the Hujjatullah-il-Balighah, a two-volume manuscript penned in Arabic that detailed jurisprudence for the Hadith, as well as aspects of Islam shared in all Muslim countries. It is still taught in seminaries.

Through his writings and his teachings, as well as the life he led, Shah Waliullah Dehlavi inspired subsequent generations of Islamic followers who carried on his reformation mission after his death. Today people consider his writings to represent his most important achievement, especially his translation of the Holy Quran into a popular language, which made that religious text more accessible to a greater number of people.

Many of his theories relating to economics and socialism are now deemed revolutionary, and he is considered to be a forerunner to Marx. Shah Waliullah criticized the exploitation of the poor and saw it as a fomenter of bloody revolution, which he deplored. Revolution, he felt, should be of a peaceful and intellectual nature, and he believed that an intellectual revolution needed to precede any lasting form of political change. In Izalat al-Khifaa, another of his best-known works, Shah Waliullah fully described the idea of the political revolution that he envisioned.

Shah Waliullah’s ideas and values no doubt came in response to the time in which he was born, which has been described as an era of decadence. His ideal vision for the Muslim society was one where all individuals enjoyed complete freedom and rulers based their decisions on the Holy Quran. He was critical of the idle rich, such as the Mughal rulers and India’s nobility.

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Key Objectives

This course aims to:

  • Learn about the life and works of Shāh Walīullāh.
  • Learn about his contribution to many of the current modern sciences.
  • Learn about what motivated him and how we can imbibe these qualities in us.
  • Learn how we can continue his legacy with similar role models for our future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.
Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.

Learn More About Our Courses?

Email us:  [email protected]